R2OK!

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

Johnny Vaughan is to return to BBC Radio Five Live for the first time since he joined Capital Radio to host a spin-off of panel show Fighting Talk.

Vaughan, who was the first presenter of the original hit Saturday morning programme, will host five editions of a new current affairs show called Fighting Talk: Any Other Business, to be made by independent producer World's End Productions.

Richard Bacon had been linked with the role, but will concentrate on his presenting duties elsewhere on Radio Five.

In recent weeks the former Xfm DJ has guest presented Five Live's weekday morning phone-in and co-hosted the station's weekend breakfast show.

Vaughan, who earlier this year signed a contract with Capital keeping him at the GCap station for another three years, said: "The last time I did a show for BBC Radio Five Live, it was to launch the perfect show for Saturday morning, Fighting Talk.

"That was just for sport. Now with Fighting Talk: Any Other Business on Sunday evening we've got the best way to round up the week and the whole world's news and current affairs to squabble about."

Fighting Talk began in 2003 with Vaughan and was later presented by Christian O'Connell - now the breakfast DJ on Virgin Radio - and followed by current incumbent, Colin Murray.

Vaughan's Capital breakfast show reclaimed the number one spot in the London commercial market in the first three months of the year, overtaking Jamie Theakston and Harriet Scott on Heart with 854,000 listeners. Vaughan joined Capital as its breakfast DJ in 2004.

In a reference to the Sony award presented to the show after Christian O'Connell's stint as presenter, Vaughan added: "Who knows, in a couple of years' time maybe someone will win a Sony gold award for another brilliant show."

The Radio Five Live managing editor, Moz Dee, said: "Johnny is a massive talent so it's great to have him on Five Live.

"Any Other Business has been a great addition to the Fighting Talk model and Johnny knows the show inside out."

Fighting Talk: Any Other Business will air on Radio Five Live on Sunday nights, beginning on July 8.

Media Guardian.

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I suppose he must keep his BBC opinion to himself whilst working for them and presenting on Five Live.?